Bashir and Kiir say oil will continue to flow and rebels stopped

September 3, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – South Sudanese oil will continue to flow through the Sudanese pipeline and Juba will close its border to the rebel groups, presidents Omer Al-Bashir and Salva Kiir announced in Khartoum reaffirming their commitment to fully implement the Cooperation Agreement and to resolve Abyei and border issues.

Following the arrival of president Salva Kiir and his important delegation to Khartoum airport on Tuesday morning, the two leaders held immediately a series of meetings, including a closed door encounter, a ritual they practice every time they need to send positive signals to their delegations.

The two presidents, who smiled at each other, chaired a meeting at the Friendship Hall where they agreed to create a joint body headed by the two foreign ministers to coordinate activities of over 30 committees dealing with bilateral issues.

Businessmen from the two countries, represented by the president of Sudan Employers’ Federation and head of South Sudan Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture also signed a deal.

South Sudan’s Kiir, prior hid departure, met with Sudan’s first vice-president Ali Osman Taha and leaders of the Sudanese opposition groups.

ABYEI NOT IGNORED

The two presidents said this visit aims to open a new page in the bilateral relations since the independence of the South Sudan in 2011.

They pledged to work together in a healthy atmosphere to settle the remaining issues particularly Abyei and the disputed border zones.

Kiir was, however, keen to underline that his government demands the implementation of the African Union Peace and Security decisions on Abyei, alluding to the organization of a referendum without the participation of Misseriya nomads next October.

Further details to come on tomorrow’s edition

(ST)